Friends of the Arboretum

Support the Arboretum

The Friends of the Arboretumwas formed to support the development and maintenance of the Arboretum's extraordinary collections and gardens.

Membership in the Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum provides an opportunity to explore, learn, and be inspired 365 days of the year. Along with an array of member benefits and privileges for you and your family, you also are supporting the Arboretum’s internationally recognized collections, regional conservation efforts, leading scientific research, and pioneering education and horticulture programs.

All Friends are invited to join in the many activities offered at the Arboretum. Volunteers, acting as guides, are available throughout the year to give tours of the garden to interested botanical and garden groups and to groups of university students, schoolchildren, senior citizens, and the general public.

Six levels of Friends membership are available to choose from. Highlights of benefits provided are free admission to the Arboretum and affiliated AHS gardens, discounts at nurseries and gift shops, priority entrance to Arboretum plant sales, guest passes, and invitations to members-only and other special events.

Three exciting NEW benefits have been added: a one-year subscription to Better Homes & Gardens; a VIP pre-plant sale appointment with the curator of your choice; and participation in ROAM (Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums), which lets Arboretum members take their benefits with them when they travel, including admission for two and discounts in stores and restaurants. ROAM has hundreds of participating museums around the country and Canada— over 50 in California alone!

“When I visit friends and family in Chicago and Cincinnati, I'll be using my Arboretum membership card to visit some of my favorite museums including the DuSable, Oriental and Richard H. Driehaus Museums in Chicago and one of my favorites, the Taft Museum in Cincinnati!”- Julia Cowell, Chair, Fund Development & Membership Committee